Charlotte Hornets Sign Talented Defender

The Charlotte Hornets have signed Leaky Black to a two-way contract.

Leaky Black played five seasons of college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. 

This past year, he averaged 7.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 41.1% from the field and 32.6% from the three-point range in 33 games.     

Over his college career, Black was named to the ACC All-Defensive team twice.

That said, the 24-year-old went undrafted last month.   

On Wednesday, the Charlotte Hornets officially announced that they had signed Black to a two-way contract. 

Via The Hornets: "Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today the team has signed forward Leaky Black to a two-way contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed."

OFFICIAL: We have signed forward Leaky Black to a two-way contract. — #LetsFly

Read the full release: https://t.co/TU1KMF0lyt pic.twitter.com/oVC9BjXmGw

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 19, 2023

Black played for the Hornets during NBA Summer League and averaged 2.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest in three games (two in Las Vegas and one in Sacramento).

He could end up being a good signing for the Hornets because a two-way contract has no risk. 

In addition, the Hornets ranked just 22nd in the league for opponents points per game (117.2 PPG), and Black is a talented defender. 

.@LeakyBlack for 3️⃣#HornetsSummer | @NovantHealth pic.twitter.com/K2NZyBy3kf

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 14, 2023

As for the Hornets, they are coming off a disappointing season where they were the 14th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 27-55 record. 

They missed the NBA playoffs for the seventh straight season. 

That said, 2022 All-Star LaMelo Ball only played in 36 games, and the Hornets selected Brandon Miller with the second pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. 

More on the Charlotte Hornets can be read here